From The Straits Times    |

#1 Jewellery

You can help contribute to a more sustainable world even before the big day. When it comes to the engagement ring, or your wedding day jewellery, turn to brands with ethically sourced diamonds and jewellery, which include Tiffany & Co, Covenant Jewellery, and Artisan & Fox.

 

#2 Have a different kind of bridal party

Gather the girls for a volunteer day! Or help whip up baked goods for a non-profit organisation. You can always have that wild hen’s night out after. #justsaying 

And speaking of bridesmaids, consider these socially-conscious bridesmaids gifts to thank your besties with. 

 

#3 Skip the favours

Instead, do someone else a favour and make a donation on behalf of your guests. In place of favours at each place seating, you can place a Thank You note to your guests. Or choose favours that are either eco-friendly or encourage guests to go green – think reusable stainless steel straws, seed packets or baked goods/crafts made by social enterprises, like MINDS (Movement for the Intellectually Disable of Singapore) Social Enterprises, or The Art Faculty by Pathlight

 

#4 Consider your venue

Turn to hotels or venues which are committed to helping the needy. For example, Hotel Re! offers couples the option of donating a dollar to the Singapore Cancer Society in lieu of favours, without extra cost. And for those of you who are pet lovers? The SPCA rents out its venue for a minimum donation of $500. More details, here

 

#5 Engage social enterprises as your wedding vendors

Like with your favours, you can hire social enterprises to help with your wedding needs – this helps in providing jobs for the disadvantaged, too. 

For catering services, Bliss Catering, for example, hires the intellectually disabled, those with hearing impairments and former offenders.

 

#6 Repurpose your flowers

One of the biggest wastage of weddings are flowers. Do like the recently minted Duke and Duchess of Sussex did for their nuptials, and put a smile on others’ faces with the blooms from your celebration. Organisations like Bloomback and Refresh Flowers repurpose flowers and distribute them to patients in hospitals, while others like Blooms for Hope help equip women from low-income families with skills to prepare them for future employment opportunities. They create bouquets, terrariums, hampers, and other floral arrangements.

 

#7 Reduce food wastage

It’s no secret that Singapore has a growing food waste issue. And you’ve probably been to a typical 8-course banquet wedding where you can hardly stomach another mouthful of food after the 6th or 7th course. For your own wedding, consider reducing the number of dishes instead – don’t worry about appearing stingy. I’m sure your guests will take quality over quantity, anyway. 

 

#8 Don’t release things into the air

Like balloons. While they make for fantastic wedding pictures, what goes up must come down. And they land in rivers, lakes and forests which causes pollution and is detrimental to both flora and fauna. 

See also: 6 EASY WAYS TO HAVE AN ECO-FRIENDLY WEDDING

Image: Her World Brides. Potted plant: Greenpoint Flowers

#9 Feature sustainable decor

Swap floral centrepieces for potted plants that guests can also bring home as favours. Or upcycle home items for your wedding decorations!

Cover image: sonjachnyj /123rf.com